The importance of furniture polishing and coating

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In modern woodworking factories, many manual woodworking tasks such as drilling and planning have been replaced by machines. However, the process of polishing furniture surfaces still relies on manual labor. Different parts and processes of furniture require the use of various polishing tools, with workers skillfully using these tools to achieve desired results. The emphasis placed by furniture manufacturers on the pre-coating polishing stage highlights its significance.

The aesthetic appeal of furniture surfaces largely depends on the quality of polishing. Whether it is solid wood or panel furniture manufacturing, the polishing workshop represents the largest and most concentrated workforce. It is also where issues frequently arise. It can be described as a tactical deployment of a large workforce. Due to the unique characteristics and variations in materials, as well as the diverse shapes and forms of processed components, combined with the limited processing capabilities and cost considerations of sanding equipment, there is currently no fully effective method that can entirely replace manual sanding.

Polishing techniques:

1. Proper selection of different grits of sandpaper:

a. Avoid using excessively coarse grits or sticking to a single grit for too long.

b. Avoid abrupt jumps in grit size, such as transitioning directly from 200# to 600# or 800#.

2. Sand along the wood grain in a consistent direction to avoid random sanding, as this may cause the wood grain to split, leaving permanent defects on the furniture's surface when coated.

3. When sanding corners or edges, take care not to round or flatten them excessively. Maintain the original circular or square contours. Decorative lines should remain straight without bending, breaking, or distorting.

4. During sanding, hold the sanding tool with four fingers and palms, with the thumb gripping the sandpaper. For furniture with larger surface areas, a square wooden block can be used as a backing to sand along the wood grain.

5. Brush while sanding. Due to the possibility of sandpaper grains easily detaching, simply passing over the surface may cause the wood grain to be sanded off. Additionally, sanding dust can easily embed itself in the grain, so it is necessary to brush away the dust with a dry brush while sanding, continuously brushing until the surface becomes smooth and even.

6. When dealing with boards that have local dents or scratches, it is advisable to first apply hot water and use an electric iron to restore the original flatness as much as possible before sanding. Pressing the sandpaper with the thumb, index finger, and middle finger is only suitable for sanding localized areas and not recommended for sanding large surface areas. Otherwise, the entire surface may become uneven, and such unevenness will become more apparent after the coating process.

7. For outer curved and inner arched boards, it is essential to use templates during sanding. By placing sandpaper on a template that matches the shape of the board, one can effectively sand while maintaining the board's intended shape. If using small electric or pneumatic sanding machines, it is important to follow the board's shape when sanding at the edges to avoid creating step-like sanding patterns.

Polishing and coating are crucial stages in the furniture manufacturing process. They enhance the overall appearance, durability, and protection of the furniture. By following these techniques and guidelines, furniture manufacturers can achieve outstanding polishing results, ensuring customer satisfaction and product quality.